Gamma ray burst
Autor/Urheber:
Nicolle Rager Fuller of the NSF
Shortlink:
Quelle:
Größe:
2000 x 1396 Pixel (1288189 Bytes)
Beschreibung:
Drawing of a massive star collapsing to form a black hole. Energy released as jets along the axis of rotation forms a gamma ray burst that lasts from a few milliseconds to minutes. Such an event within several thousand light years of Earth could disrupt the biosphere by wiping out half of the ozone layer, creating nitrogen dioxide and potentially cause a mass extinction.
Stars shine by burning hydrogen. The process is called nuclear fusion. Hydrogen burning produces helium "ash." As the star runs out of hydrogen (and nears the end of its life), it begins burning helium. The ashes of helium burning, such as carbon and oxygen, also get burned. The end result of this fusion is iron. Iron cannot be used for nuclear fuel. Without fuel, the star no longer has the energy to support its weight. The core collapses. If the star is massive enough, the core will collapse into a black hole. The black hole quickly forms jets; and shock waves reverberating through the star ultimately blow apart the outer shells. Gamma-ray bursts are the beacons of star death and black hole birth.
Kommentar zur Lizenz:
Der Urheberrechtsinhaber dieser Datei, National Science Foundation, erlaubt es jedem, diese für jeden Zweck zu benutzen, vorausgesetzt, dass der Urheberrechtsinhaber ordnungsgemäß genannt wird. Weiterverbreitung, Abänderungen, kommerzielle Nutzung sowie jede andere Verwendung sind gestattet. | |
Namensnennung:
National Science Foundation
|
Lizenz:
Attribution
Credit:
National Science Foundation Press Release 05-156: Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes a Record
Relevante Bilder
Relevante Artikel
GammablitzGammablitze, Gammastrahlenblitze, Gammastrahlenausbrüche oder auch Gammastrahlenexplosionen sind Energieausbrüche sehr hoher Leistung im Universum, von denen große Mengen elektromagnetischer Strahlung ausgehen. .. weiterlesen